Northern Michigan Immigrant Inclusion Network (NorMIIN)
Who We Are: Established Nov. 2024, we are a network of institutions that serve newcomers (migrants, refugees, immigrants, etc.) residing in the 21 northernmost counties of Michigan’s lower peninsula. This network’s objectives include to better identify the newcomer populations, to share resources, best practices and referrals, and to work together to obtain additional resources as needed.
Leaders in organizations that, in some capacity, welcome newcomers in northern Michigan, including schools, adult ed programs, health institutions, non-profits, places of worship, local municipalities, and businesses, are welcome to participate, as well as institutions who do not yet support newcomers, but are interested in doing so.
This network is facilitated by Strangers No Longer, with the leadership of northern Michigan institutions who serve newcomer populations, and the support of the State of Michigan’s Office of Global Michigan.
Mission Statement:
As an active collaborative network, we aim to make Michigan’s Northern Lower Peninsula an inclusive and welcoming region for immigrants and refugees. We do this by educating our local communities, providing support and resources to newcomers and the institutions serving them, and advocating for culturally appropriate solutions to immigrants’ needs.
2025-2026 Goals:
- Facilitate an in-person network-wide conference with 300+ attendees, including state leadership.
- Expand and deepen network partners relationships through monthly meetings, collaborative projects, sharing referrals and best practices, conference planning.
- Improve grassroots outreach to nonprofits, places of worship, ethnic-based orgs, and others not yet at the table – including newcomer populations – via regional meetings and events leading up to the conference.
Geographic Region: 21 Northernmost Counties of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula
Other RCCs: Regional Community Collaboratives
For more information, contact Amy Ketner at ketner.a@strangersnolonger.org.
